LIVING WELL IN COVID TIMES
28 April 2020 by June Lowe
Dear friends
For several weeks now, GRAI and Prime Timers volunteers have been phoning around our friends, elders in the LGBTI community. We have learned we are a philosophical bunch, generally optimistic, and hopeful that our crisis-heightened social awareness and neighbourliness will continue post-lockdown. Many of you have reported an increased number of calls and acts of kindness. Long may it reign!
The practical and creatives among us have revelled in enterprising projects – from crocheting to kitchen renovations, learning musical instruments or foreign languages. Some of us are exercising more, and some are Netflixing more. Below are a few recommendations from the trenches, feel free to contact us with your own favourite survival tips.
“The light at the end of the COVID tunnel glimmers ever closer, and we are preparing, cautiously, to emerge as face-to-face social beings once more”…
June Lowe – April 2020
A big winner from our home isolation has been forcing us to lower our resistance to technology – many of us doing Zoom meetings with L-plates (me too). However, the pressure of on-line activity is causing great frustration for some elders – see our call-out for IT support below.
From our phone calls we hear that despite being resilient on the surface, there is an undercurrent of stress, especially for those without partners, where fears can be easily amplified. One elder told me she understood her reactions as a grieving process – disbelief, anger, depression, acceptance – and hoped that people would reach out with compassion to those who are struggling.
Please contact us to share any ideas that others (LGBTI elders) might appreciate. Also, if you are facing any COVID-related challenges, give us a ring… we might be able to help – or if not, put you in touch with someone who can.
Contact june@grai.org.au | 9383 7753.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Dan: “We have to get ‘unresistant’ to technology”.
Susanne: “Those of us who play in the world of imagination are ideally suited to isolation”.
Janice: “The inordinate obstinance of inanimate objects”.
Ivan: “I’m losing my technique: rusting over!”
M: “I’m being dismantled and reassembled”.
Janice: “We don’t have to achieve a lot at this time: it’s down time”.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT/SHOPPING
On-line shopping is not as easy as it’s cracked up to be… let us know if you want a hand. For essentials delivery, a new service worth looking at is: cahoots.org.au
IT Support – On-line stuff driving you crazy?
If you NEED help with IT, or would like to volunteer to GIVE over-the-phone support, please contact us.
For people in the Mandurah area, Mandurah Muscateers (Charity computer services) are retired IT people who offer help to seniors and other concession card holders. http://www.mandurahmuscateers.org/ | muscats@bigpond.net.au| 9534 7834. Open Tues and Thurs 9am – 3.30pm.
From employment to health and wellbeing, to decreased opportunities to connect – COVID-19 is impacting on us all in many ways.
In order to inform their work during COVID-19, Equality Australia would love for you to spend a few minutes on their survey, letting them know the impact that COVID-19 is having on you.
With your help, they can build a clearer picture of the needs of LGBTIQ+ people during this time, and advocate strongly and effectively for our community so that nobody is left behind.
https://equalityaustralia.org.au/impact-of-covid-19-survey/
Meanwhile, we hope you might find something
to pique your interest in the following…
OUTDANCE ONLINE DANCE CLASSES
OUT Dance – just celebrated their 19th birthday… Congratulations!
While the dancefloor is out of bounds, OUTDance has weekly ZOOM classes scheduled for each Tuesday. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outdance.perth
Website: https://www.outdance.com.au/
CULTURE AND QUARANTAINMENT
Offerings abound for those seeking on-line arts, culture, and other ‘quarantainment’.
For a virtual stroll around the WA Art gallery
https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/
Missing the animals? Try: Perthzoo.wa.gov.au
We received a thumbs up for “Circus of books” on Netflix
Or an alternative to Netflix is a free channel TUBI TV
AND OF COURSE, DON’T MISS…
QUEER LOVE-IN
An exciting online event bringing our community together to celebrate the inspiring talent of Australian LGBTIQ+ artists and performers. Livestreamed on 2 May at 1pm Western time. From musical performances to comedy, drag to hip hop, this event showcases the extraordinary diversity of talent in our community!
Organised by Equality Australia to support our LGBTIQ+ artists.
Learn more about the event and the line-up
#QueerLoveIn equalityaustralia.org.au/queerlovein
Time: 1:00PM Western Time
Date: 2 May 2020.
Location: Streamed live online via facebook and their website.
RSVP here: bit.ly/queerlovein
SOUNDS LIKE FUN AND GAMES…
There’s a plethora of online games – we are favouring the interactive ones you can try with friends. You can play Pictionary via Zoom or for card lovers, there’s Euchre. We attempted a game of Charades on Zoom (hilarious, though not very successful yet).
We’re researching the possibility of an on-line quiz night. As the social mingling rules are relaxed, 6 – 8 people could meet in someone’s home to form their quiz table, and connect to the quiz-leader via Zoom. Let us know if you are interested in hosting or joining a table!
GAME LINKS
10 Fun Games to Play on Zoom That Will Amp up Your Next Virtual Party
Whether you prefer trivia, Bingo, word games, or card games, there’s a way to play online.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g32098665/best-games-to-play-on-zoom/
Random Trivia Generator (Pic)
https://www.randomtriviagenerator.com/
Scrabble with friends on Facebook!
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/play-scrabble-words-with-friends-online-412414
Play Monopoly on Pogo…
https://www.pogo.com/games/monopoly
Please contact us with your thoughts, suggestions, issues, or just for a chat!
Contact june@grai.org.au | 9383 7753
FROM ENEWSLETTER #1
MEET’n’MUSE goes on-line! Our long-running discussion group for older lesbians is continuing by Skype! Each session will have up to 8 ‘Musers’ and the discussion topic circulated beforehand. To join an MnM session, or for more info, contact Pam Mulholland: pam_mulholland@aapt.net.auor 0420 929 583.
DIGITAL DANCE CLUB – All The Queens Men (ATQM) famously organised two ‘Coming Out Balls’ in Melbourne (in 2018 and 2019) and also run an on-going LGBTI+ elders dance club. You can now join this club on-line (it’s free) every second Sunday. Or check out the webpage at the very least! (it’s fun). https://allthequeensmen.net/projects/digital-dance-club/
THE KINDNESS PANDEMIC – a project to lift your spirits, as people share their positive stories to inspire. Started by Catherine Barrett, this has gone seriously global.
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kindpandemic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/515507852491119/
Website: https://www.thekindnesspandemic.org/
CHAIR YOGA – maybe this is the time to deliver on those long-neglected good intentions, or explore something new? Free 20 min Chair Yoga session, via Zoom, every Tuesday 10 to 10.20 (WA time) through the LGBTI Health Alliance until 30 June. More info, contact Leanne, Leanne.Williams@lgbtihealth.org.au or register
https://zoom.us/j/971999654
FLOOR YOGA – Free floor yoga session, via Zoom, every Tues 12 noon to 12.45 (WA time) – through the LGBTI Health Alliance, until 30 June.
Register https://zoom.us/j/562007546
More info, contact Leanne, Leanne.Williams@lgbtihealth.org.au
VIRTUAL HUGS – this joyful video project by sami captures our diverse community sending ‘Auslan hugs’. It’s gorgeous, take a look. Instructions are included (below the video) if you want to participate and add your own hug.